Civilization in its purest form is universal, something available to all people. The wisdom that went into the building of the Egyptian pyramids, the creation of Greek democracy, or the construction of the Mesoamerican metropolis Teotihuacan does not belong to any race or nation: it is a part of the human legacy, something all people can appreciate regardless of their heritage. Ancient Civilizations: Almanac focuses on twelve civilizations and cultures, beginning with the ancient Egyptians and covering the Sumerians of Mesopotamia, the Shang of China, the Olmec of the Americas, and the Minoan of ancient Greece, among others, and concludes with the rise and fall in A. D. 476 of the Roman Empire. While concentrating on each culture's unique history and customs, Ancient Civilizations: Almanac also highlights the similarities between cultures that existed thousands of years—and sometimes thousands of miles—apart from each other.
Arranged into chapters by geographic region, Ancient Civilizations: Almanac features more than 110 black-and-white photographs that help bring the civilizations to life. Maps in each chapter place the civilization in a geographic context as well as highlight landmarks relating to that civilization. Numerous sidebar boxes provide lists of words to know or indepth coverage of topics of high interest, such as the legacy of Saharan rock art. Cross references point the user to related information, while a “For More Information” section concludes each chapter. Ancient Civilizations: Almanac also features a glossary of terms used throughout the volumes, a timeline containing significant milestones from each civilization, and an index covering the people, places, and events discussed throughout Ancient Civilizations: Almanac.
World History
